JUDGE ORDERS MAN TO PAY RESTITUTION

JACKSON -- A Cape Girardeau man was told Monday that he had to come up with $3,094.81 within 90 days or he may be ordered to prison.

Joe L. Hatchett, 40, of 2040 Broadway, could finish a five-year probation sentence Nov. 2, but only if he pays the court the remaining balance of his restitution. Hatchett was convicted in 1992 of stealing and was placed on probation.

Cape Girardeau County Circuit Judge William Syler told him he would hate to see Hatchett "drop the ball on the goal line."

Hatchett told the judge he makes $280 a week. He said he didn't have a plan for raising the money but assured the judge it would be paid.

Syler said Hatchett would have to find a way and he would have to return to court Aug. 18 with $1,000, the first installment of his payments. Hatchett could be ordered to serve seven years in prison if he doesn't pay the restitution by Nov. 2, the last day of his probation.

In other law day proceedings:

--Kenneth Shoemaker, 19, of Dutchtown, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and stealing in hopes of avoiding jail and being admitted to the Hot Springs, Ark., Teen Challenge program.

Even though Syler agreed to sentence Shoemaker to Teen Challenge, it doesn't mean that Shoemaker will stay out of prison. When Shoemaker pleaded guilty he also admitted to a probation violation in Scott County.

Scott County Circuit Judge Anthony Heckemeyer has the option of revoking Shoemaker's probation and sending him to prison.

Shoemaker, who admitted to breaking into a Dutchtown residence in May and stealing five guns, told Syler that he understood the risk of pleading guilty but wanted to proceed. Shoemaker said he has been accepted to Teen Challenge.

-- An Oct. 8 trail date was set for Abagail Smith, who pleaded innocent Monday to endangering the life of a child. Smith, 35, of 624 N. Fountain is charged with striking a child with an extension cord.